Pedri scored his fourth goal of the season to make it six wins in six for Barcelona in all competitions since the turn of the year but it was a below par performance from Xavi’s side.

The well-worked goal came ten minutes before the break when Raphinha crossed from the left and Pedri finished past David Soria. 

Barca were sloppy at times though, and when Pedri played a short pass back towards his own goal, Borja Mayoral could easily have finished to make it 1-1.

Pedri scored his fourth goal of the season as LaLiga leaders Barcelona beat Getafe

Soria saved well from Ousmane Dembele before the goal and there were also chances for Gavi and Dembele but Barcelona could not extend their advantage.

When former Real Madrid youth team striker headed goalwards late on it could have been a point for Getafe who have never won at the Camp Nou in 18 games but his header was saved by the imperious Marc Andre Ter Stegen who has still only conceded six goals all season. It wasn't as good as his first half block on Mayoral but it was a points clincher and again he had been key in his side's win.

There was another late chance for Barcelona to get a second goal but substitute Franck Kessie saw his effort saved by Soria.

Sergio Busquets was honoured before the game by reaching the milestone of 700 games in a Barcelona shirt. He has clocked up 466 of those matches in La Liga and has only his manager Xavi (505) and Lionel Messi (520) ahead of him.

It was also the 100th game in which he has worn the captain’s armband. He finished on the winning side and is experienced enough to know that the lackluster nature of the defeat should not be pondered on for too long.

Barcelona have a huge game in the cup quarterfinals against in form Real Sociedad this Wednesday and next weekend the have a local derby against Girona.

They had not played like Champions in this one but they are where Champions need to be – sat on top of the table, the team to beat between now and the end of the campaign.

‘We couldn’t get the second goal but they are a difficult team to break down,’ said Pedri. ‘We need to put this victory behind us now and start to prepare for the next game. It’s no secret that the league is our main objective this season.’